News & Articles
May/1/2013
Matrimonial Law Update
MATRIMONIAL LAW UPDATE
Bruce J. Wagner, Esq.
McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C.
(From the May 2013 Newsletter) Custody – Education Decisions: In Sequeira v. Sequeira, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 2401 (1st Dept. Apt. 11, 2013) ; Grandparent Visitation: In Laudadio v. Laudadio, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 2060 (3d Dept. Mar. 28, 2013); Joint Custody and Visitation – Modified: In Nolan v. Nolan, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 2061 (3d Dept. Mar. 28, 2013)
(From the April 2013 Newsletter) Agreement Interpretation – Health Insurance: In Matter of Bokor v. Markel, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 1361 (2d Dept. Mar. 6, 2013); Agreement Interpretation – College Expenses: In Hannigan v. Hannigan, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 1488 (2d Dept. Mar. 13, 2013); Agreement Interpretation – Prenuptial: Bennett v. Bennett, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 1181 (2d Dept. Feb. 27, 2013); Separate Property and Wasteful Dissipation: Spathis v. Dulimof-Spathis, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 1269 (1st Dept. Feb. 28, 2013), citing Micha v Micha, 213 AD2d 956, 957 (3d Dept. 1995), Carr v Carr, 291 AD2d 672 (3d Dept. 2002) and Mahoney-Buntzman v. Buntzman, 12 NY3d 415, 421 (2009).
(From the March 2013 Newsletter) Child Support Modification: Standards Old and New : In Matter of Overbaugh v. Schettini, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 991 (3d Dept. Feb. 14, 2013) - What does “uncovered health care expenses” mean?: In Matter of Kreiswirth v. Shapiro, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 892 (2d Dept. Feb. 13, 2013) - Joint Custody (or not?): In Prohaszka v. Prohaszka, 2013 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 746 (2d Dept. Feb. 6, 2013): Temporary Maintenance Guidelines & Counsel Fees - In N.F. v. A.E.F., NY Law Journ. Feb. 11, 2013 (Sup. Ct. Westchester Co., Christopher J., Jan. 31, 2013)
(From the February 2013 Newsletter) Child’s Mental Health Records: In Liberatore v. Liberatore, 37 Misc.3d 1034 (Sup. Ct. Monroe Co., Fisher, J., Oct. 18, 2012); Perry v. Fiumano, 61 AD2d 512 (4th Dept. 1978); In Re Berg, 152 N.H. 658, 663 (2005); Custody Modification – Granted: In Matter of Smith v. Barney, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 9085 (3d Dept. Dec. 27, 2012).
(From the January 2013 Newsletter): Evidentiary Foundation for Taped Conversation -In Grucci v. Grucci, 2012 N.Y. Lexis 3500 (Nov. 20, 2012) and citing People v. Ely, 68 NY2d 520, 528 (1986). Agreement Drafting – Marital Residence Buy-Out - Kang v. Kim, 2012 N.Y. App.Div. Lexis 7818 (1st Dept. Nov. 20, 2012). Temporary Maintenance Guidelines and Counsel Fees - In Woodford v. Woodford, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 7933 (2d Dept. Nov. 21, 2012) and citing Khaira v. Khaira, 93 AD3d 194, 200 (1st Dept. 2012) [See March 2012 ACBA column] and In Tawil v. Tawil, 953 NYS2d 856 (1st Dept. Nov. 20, 2012), In Liebman v Liebman, 37 Misc.3d 1224(A) (Sup. Ct. Queens Co., Jackman Brown, J., Nov. 5, 2012),
In Maddiwar v. Maddiwar, 37 Misc.3d 1224(A) (Sup. Ct. Queens Co., Jackman Brown, J., Nov. 2, 2012),
(From the Nov/Dec 2012 Newsletter) Court of Appeals Leave Applications: One Granted, One Denied:
Galetta v. Galetta, 96 AD3d 1565 (4th Dept. June 15, 2012), mot. lv. app. granted, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 6465 (mot. no. 618-12, Sept. 28, 2012). Rinzler v. Rinzler, 97 AD3d 215 (3d Dept. July 12, 2012)[See September 2012 column].
No Fault Divorce – Summary Judgment: In Burger v. Burger, 36 Misc.3d 752 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Maron, J., July 9, 2012)
Family Offense – Intimate Relationship Found: In Matter of Jose M. v. Angel V., 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 6263 (2d Dept. Sept. 26, 2012)
(From the October 2012 Newsletter) Equitable Distribution Proportions: Real Property & Business - In Nicodemus v. Nicodemus, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5893 (2d Dept. Aug. 15, 2012): Loans or Gifts? And Maintenance Denied - In Carr-Harris v. Carr-Harris, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5863 (2d Dept. Aug. 8, 2012): Durational Maintenance, CSSA and Separate Property Appreciation - In Golden v. Golden, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5946 (2d Dept. Aug. 22, 2012): Modification of Maintenance - In Platt v. Platt, 2012 N.Y. Misc. Lexis 4032, N.Y. Law Journ. Aug. 28, 2012 (Sup. Ct. Monroe Co., Dollinger, A.J., Aug. 22, 2012)
(From the September 2012 Newsletter) No-Fault Divorce: This Just In – A Plaintiff Can Start Action #2: Rinzler v. Rinzler, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5505 (3d Dept. July 12, 2012), Agreements – Cohabitation clause is not clear enough Fecteau v. Fecteau, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5597 (3d Dept. July 19, 2012, Separate Property Appreciation: Biagiotti v. Biagiotti, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5484 (3d Dept. July 12, 2012)
(From the Summer 2012 Newsletter) No-Fault Divorce: Application of CPLR 3016(c) Specificity Rules & Statute of Limitations: Tuper v. Tuper, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 4574 (4th Dept. June 8, 2012),
No-Fault Divorce – Effect of Dismissal of Prior Fault Action: Dayanoff v. Dayanoff, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis (2d Dept. June 20, 2012); Equitable Distribution & Wasteful Dissipation: Levitt v. Levitt, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5333 (2d Dept. Jul. 5, 2012) and Dinoto v. Dinoto, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5289 (2d Dept. July 5, 2012)
(From the June 2012 Newsletter) Fault Divorce Plaintiff Allowed to Amend to Assert No-Fault, G.C. v. G.C., 2012 N.Y. Misc. Lexis 1742 (Sup. Ct. Monroe Co., Dollinger, J., April 16, 2012) - Valladares v. Valladares; Temporary Maintenance Guidelines & Counsel Fees: New or Old Law Applied? Finnan v. Finnan, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 3367 (2d Dept. May 1, 2012). Khaira v. Khaira, 938 NY2d 513 (Feb. 7, 2012)[see March 2012 ACBA column]; Enforcement of Stipulated Life Insurance Obligation In Sutton v. Sutton, 93 AD3d 779 (2d Dept. Mar. 20, 2012)(Case No. 2011-01226)
(From the May 2012 Newsletter) The Brokerage Account was "Ponzied": Not a Mutual Mistake: Simkin v Blank, 2012 N.Y. Lexis 618 (Apr. 3, 2012), Stipulating to pension distributions: "If you want it, say it." In Matter of Gursky v. Gursky, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 2344 (3d Dept. Mar. 29, 2012), Enhanced Earnings: When are the percentages little or nothing?: Esposito-Shea v. Shea, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 2546 (3d Dept. April 5, 2012)
(From the April 2012 Newsletter) Agreements for Educational Expenses: Is "I'll Try" Good Enough? In Matter of Stewart v. Stewart, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 1530 (3d Dept. Mar. 1, 2012) :The Latest Word on Automatic Orders In Sykes v. Sykes, 2012 N.Y. Misc. Lexis 861, N.Y. Law Journ. Mar. 5, 2012 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co., Cooper, J., Feb. 29, 2012) : "No-Fault" Divorce In Townes v. Coker, 2012 N.Y. Misc. Lexis 559, N.Y. Law Journ. Mar. 5, 2012 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co. Bruno, J., Feb. 8, 2012)
(From the March 2012 Newsletter) Temporary Maintenance Guidelines & Counsel Fees; Khaira v. Khaira, 2012 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 849 (1st Dept. Feb. 7, 2012)
Brief note on "no-fault" divorce: See Vahey v. Vahey, N.Y. Law Journ. Feb. 9, 2012 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co. Feb. 3, 2012)
(From the February 2012 Newsletter) Retirement Fund Clauses: Proceed with Caution - Rubin v. Rubin, ___ AD3d ___, 2011 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 9126 (2d Dept. Dec. 20, 2011) (Case No. 2011 00688); CSSA Deviation - In Matter of Kelly v. Kelly, 934 NYS2d 272 (3d Dept. Dec. 15, 2011) (Case No. 512461); Custody – Limited Overnight Visits and Child's Wishes - In Matter of Crowder v. Austin, 934 NYS2d 227 (2d Dept. Dec. 13, 2011) (Case No. 2011-00039): Custody – Military Deployment - In Matter of Messimore v. Messimore, 932 NYS2d 753 (4th Dept. Nov. 18, 2011) (Case No. 10-01945):
(From the January 2012 Newsletter) The Cohabitation Clause: It is Best to Say What We Mean : Mastrocovo v. Capizzi, 87 AD3d 1296, 930 NYS2d 141 (4th Dept. Sept. 30, 2011) (Case No. 11-00714) ; see Graev v. Graev, 11 NY3d 262 (2008). Temporary Maintenance Guidelines & Counsel Fees: In R. L. v. C.L., ___ Misc3d ___, 2011 N.Y. Misc. Lexis 5590 (Sup. Ct. Rensselaer Co., Lynch, J., Nov. 21, 2011) ; Salai v. Salai, ___ Misc3d ___, 2011 N.Y. Misc. Lexis 5402 (Sup. Ct. Monroe Co., Fisher, J., Nov. 14, 2011)
(From the December 2011 Newsletter) "No-fault" Divorce: Trial or no Trial? The Score is Tied 2-2" Schiffer v. Schiffer, 930 NYS2d 827 (Sup. Ct. Dutchess Co., Wood, J., Sept. 30, 2011) ; Temporary Maintenance Guidelines and Counsel Fees Fraterrigo v. Fraterrigo, 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 5227 (Sup. Ct. Albany Co., Teresi, J., Nov. 1, 2011) (Index No. 6127-11)
(From the November 2011 Newsletter) More on Temporary Maintenance Guidelines and Counsel Fees = Valentin v. Valentin, 32 Misc3d 1223(A), 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 3682 (Sup. Ct. Queens Co., Jackman-Brown, J., July 11, 2011); S.G. v. P.G., 32 Misc3d 1233(A), 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 4051 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Maron, J., August 10, 2011) ; More on "No-Fault" Divorce = Strack v. Strack, 31 Misc3d 258 (Sup. Ct. Essex Co. Muller, J., Feb. 3, 2011), but contrary to A.C. v. D.R., 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 1269, NY Law Journ. Apr. 7, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Falanga, J., Mar. 28, 2011) [both cases in May 2011 column], is Schiffer v. Schiffer, 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 4702, NY Law Journ. Oct. 17, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Dutchess Co., Wood, J., Sept. 30, 2011)
(From the October 2011 Newsletter) Temporary Maintenance Guidelines and Counsel Fees Anonymous II v. Anonymous II (Sup. Ct. Saratoga Co., Nolan, J., August 10, 2011), Anonymous III v. Anonymous III (Sup. Ct. Rensselaer Co., Hummel, J., Aug. 29, 2011). Recognition of Connecticut Same Sex Marriage: S.M. v. C.R., NY Law Journ. May 23, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Suffolk Co., Kelly, J., May 18, 2011); (Martinez v. County of Monroe, 50 AD3d 189 [4th Dept. 2008], Lewis v. NYS Dept. of Civil Service, 60 AD3d 216 [3d Dept. 2009] and Matter of Ranftle, 81 AD3d 566 [1st Dept. 2011])
Update on Form UCS 111-A
(From the September 2011 Issue) "Memorandum of Understanding" : Vega v. Papaleo, 925 NYS2d 699 (3d Dept. June 9, 2011) (Case No. 511077), Dickerson v. Thompson, 2011 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 5852 (3d Dept. July 21, 2011)(Case No. 511849) (Dickerson II), S.C. v. J.R.C., Jr., 31 Misc3d 1239(A) (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Maron, J., June 8, 2011), H.K. v. J.K., NY Law Journ. July 11, 2011 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co., Drager, J., June 27, 2011),
(Fromthe Summer 2011 Issue) "Marriage Equality Act," effective July 24, 2011; and, There is a pair of unreported decisions in the areas of no-fault divorce, temporary maintenance guidelines and counsel fees.
(From the June 2011 Newsletter) - Developments in temporary maintenance guidelines and counsel fees, as well as some other items of interest - Jill G. v. Jeffrey G., 31 Misc.3d 1209(A), NY Law Journ. Mar. 28, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Janowitz, J.), - J.H. v. W. H., 31 Misc.3d 1203(A), NY Law Journ. Apr. 6, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Kings Co., Thomas, J., Mar. 18, 2011), Other items of interest: The NYS Law Revision Commission issued its "Preliminary Report on Maintenance Awards in Divorce Proceedings" on May 11, 2011, pursuant to Domestic Relations Law §236(B)(6-a), as added by the Laws of 2010, Chapter 371, and is available at www.lawrevision.state.ny.us Check the Supreme Court Clerk's office or the UCS website http://www.courts.state.ny.us/forms/rji/index.shtml for the new RJI form (UCS-840), which must be used effective August 31, 2011, along with the Matrimonial Addendum (UCS-840M).
(From the May 2011 Newsletter) - Developments in no-fault divorce, temporary maintenance guidelines and counsel fees.
No-fault divorce - Strack v. Strack, 916 NYS2d 759 (Sup. Ct. Essex Co., Muller, J. Feb. 3, 2011) ; A.C. v. D. R. (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Falanga, J.); Temporary Maintenance Guidelines and Counsel Fees - Scott M. v. Ilona M., 915 NYS2d 834, NY Law Journ. Feb. 1, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Kings Co., Sunshine, J., Jan. 27, 2011); Margaret A. v. Shawn B., 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 997, NY Law Journ. Mar. 23, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Westchester Co., Connolly, J., Mar. 15, 2011), There are other cases of interest on these topics. See, e.g., Jill G. v. Jeffrey G., NY Law Journ. Mar. 28, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Nassau Co., Janowitz, J., Mar. 18, 2011) and J.H. v. W.H., 2011 NY Misc. Lexis 1271, NY Law Journ. Apr. 6, 2011 (Sup. Ct. Kings Co., Thomas, J., Mar. 18, 2011).
New Form Alerts, effective 4-1-2011: Check the Supreme Court Clerk's office for new UCS 111-A (in this area, applies to Albany County only) and amended 22 NYCRR §202.16(f)(2)(v), establishing an official preliminary conference order form.
